Sleep Apnea

Solutions

Tired of CPAP?

Oral appliances are a great alternative therapy for patients who are tired of CPAP. Dental appliance therapy is indicated for:

  • Patients with primary snoring or mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who do not respond to, or are not appropriate for treatment with behavioral measures such as weight loss or sleep position change.
  • OSA is either “primary”, moderate, or severe. Patients with moderate to severe OSA should have an initial trial of nasal CPAP. 
  • Patients with moderate to severe OSA who are intolerant of or refuse treatment with nasal CPAP. Oral appliances are also indicated for patients who refuse treatment, or are not candidates for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, craniofacial operations, or tracheostomy.
Moses Elite for obstructive sleep apnea
G3 For Sleep Apnea

What is Obstructive SLeep Apnea?

Simply put, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is when breathing stops or is significantly decreased during sleep.  More technically, it occurs when airflow is decreased by at least 80% for more than 10 seconds. These interruptions can happen 20 to 30 times an hour.   So what really happens?

  • You fall asleep, causing the body to relax and lose muscle tone. This causes a significant collapse of your airway, interrupting the normal inhalation of oxygen and exhalation of carbon dioxide.
  • This obstruction leads to a lack of oxygen reaching the tissues called hypoxia.
  • The brain alerts the body to breathe, which leads to arousal.
  • Upon waking your muscle activity increases, reopening the airway and allowing for normal breath.

As you fall back asleep, the above cycle repeats itself again throughout the night.

It is estimated that 17 – 20% of adults suffer from OSA.  It is more prevalent than diabetes or asthma.  Many people experience heavy snoring. The chances of having OSA increase if you are overweight.

Oral Appliance for Snoring

Oral appliances or dental appliances that treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea are small plastic devices that are worn in the mouth, similar to orthodontic retainers or sports mouth guards. These appliances help prevent the collapse of the tongue and soft tissues in the back of the throat, keeping the airway open during sleep and promoting adequate air intake.

  • Repositioning the lower jaw, tongue soft palate and uvula
  • Stabilizing the lower jaw and tongue
  • Increasing the muscle tone of the tongue
EMA yellow band for obstructive sleep apnea

Introducing the Respire® Line of OSA Appliances

respire-pink
respire-ef

Fitting a Patient for a new OSA Device

Dr. Levine molding impression for OSA Appliance
Dr. Levine molding impression for OSA Appliance
Dr. Levine molding impression for OSA Appliance

Insurance Coverage for Sleep Appliance

We have partnered with a medical billing company to provide both medical and Medicare Insurance claims. Jack Levine, DDS is a certified Durable Medical Equipment (DME) provider office. Please call us to review your benefits.